Konoha Village, Central Plaza.
The central plaza of the village was packed with nearly every civilian and shinobi of Konoha.
Today was the day when the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, would officially announce his retirement—and the succession ceremony for the Third Hokage would take place.
On the high platform, Senju Tobirama stood tall and proud, his sharp eyes sweeping across the crowd below.
Behind him stood Renya, Danzo, Koharu, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Uchiha Kagami, and Mitokado Homura.
"Congratulations, Danzo!"
"Don't forget about us old comrades once you become Hokage!"
Amidst his companions' flattery, Danzo slowly lost himself, showing an expression of indulgent satisfaction.
So this… is what power feels like?
How intoxicating!
The crowd whispered among themselves, their gazes mostly falling upon Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzo.
They had long heard that the two were the Second Hokage's personally chosen successors—yet no one knew who would truly be chosen.
"Damn it, once again the Uchiha are denied the Hokage's seat!" a Uchiha jōnin from the hawkish faction clenched his fist in frustration, a flash of scarlet flickering in his eyes.
Damn that Senju Tobirama—why didn't he pass the position of Hokage to Uchiha Kagami?
Though Kagami had faced cold stares and ostracism within the clan, once he became Hokage, no one would dare treat him that way again.
It seemed Tobirama never even considered the Uchiha clan at all!
At that moment, the hearts of the Uchiha were filled with resentment.
This village had been founded jointly by their former clan head, Uchiha Madara, and Senju Hashirama—yet after three generations of Hokage, not a single one had been from the Uchiha!
Their dissatisfaction only continued to grow. The hawkish faction within the clan expanded in number—nearly one-third of the jōnin now belonged to it.
The current clan head, Uchiha Tanaka, sighed helplessly as he looked at his furious clansmen.
His gaze drifted toward Renya standing on the platform, a glimmer of regret flashing in his eyes.
If only he hadn't driven that man out of the clan back then...
Perhaps the Uchiha could have produced a Hokage.
Now, with the hawkish faction growing stronger by the day, even he, the clan head, could no longer control them.
One day, the Uchiha will rebel.
That outcome had already become inevitable—unless another clan head as powerful as Uchiha Madara appeared to suppress them.
It wasn't that he hadn't thought about rebellion, but he knew the clan could never win against the village.
If it came to open conflict, the Uchiha might be annihilated!
Senju Tobirama raised his hand, and the plaza instantly fell silent.
That was the authority of the Second Hokage.
Seeing this, Danzo's eyes shone with admiration. Someday, he too would be respected by all, just like his teacher!
"Everyone, I have served as Hokage for many decades—it is time for me to retire." Senju Tobirama removed the hat symbolizing the highest authority of Konoha. The character "Fire" embroidered on it gleamed brightly under the sun.
"At this moment, what Konoha needs in its leader is not only great strength, but also an unflinching spirit of sacrifice, a calm and tactical mind, and… above all, a heart of unwavering loyalty willing to bear all infamy and darkness for the sake of the village!"
"Therefore, I have decided," Tobirama's voice echoed in every ear, "that Shimura Danzo shall inherit my will and become the Third Hokage of Konoha!"
The crowd instantly erupted.
"Shimura Danzo! Shimura Danzo! Shimura Danzo!"
Without a doubt, those were the shills Renya had planted in advance.
Once they began chanting, everyone else was swept up in the tide.
Soon, the entire plaza was filled with the name of the new Hokage—Shimura Danzo.
Amid the cheers, Senju Tobirama personally placed the hat of authority onto Danzo's head.
"Danzo, from this day forth, you are the Hokage."
"Sensei, I will never betray your expectations!" Danzo's eyes reddened.
The moment the hat was placed upon his head, he felt an unprecedented weight pressing against his chest—a burden of responsibility so heavy that it almost took his breath away.
He had waited for this day for what felt like an eternity—countless days and nights dreaming of the moment he would finally become Hokage.
Now that it had come true, how could he not be moved?
Imitating his teacher's gesture, Danzo raised his hand, and the crowd quickly quieted down.
Looking down at the silent sea of people, his body trembled slightly—not from fear, but from excitement.
"From this day onward, I, Shimura Danzo, will lead this village toward even greater strength!"
He forgot his rehearsed lines, stumbled over his thoughts, but in the end—
"Everything, for Konoha!"
After a brief silence, thunderous applause broke out across the plaza.
"Third Hokage! Third Hokage! Third Hokage!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at his friend, complicated emotions flickering in his eyes.
Danzo had taken the title of Hokage one step ahead of him.
Renya gazed at Danzo, now basking in sunlight and cheers, his heart filled with boundless fighting spirit and ideals.
Not like the one from the original story—who spoke of "protecting the village" but acted only for himself, the self-serving Konoha's King of Scapegoats.
Renya hoped this Danzo would become a truly worthy Hokage.
...
Hokage's Office.
Senju Tobirama had already left, leaving only Renya and the others behind.
Danzo sat in the Hokage's chair, gently running his fingers along the armrest.
"Danzo, congratulations on becoming Hokage!" Uchiha Kagami smiled warmly.
He and Danzo had a good relationship—perhaps this would help reduce ANBU's surveillance of the Uchiha.
Those things they hadn't dared tell Tobirama-sensei… they could now tell Danzo.
"Danzo, you and Hiruzen already hold positions in the village. Don't you think it's time to assign us some roles too?" Koharu asked, not forgetting Renya's earlier suggestion.
"That's right, Hokage-sama," Mitokado Homura adjusted his glasses and added, "We'd also like to experience what it's like to wield a bit of power."
"Ridiculous! Such things cannot be decided on a whim!" Danzo refused decisively—perfectly embodying the truth that the first thing people do with power is forget their roots.
Koharu instinctively glanced at Renya, her expression saying,
'Didn't you say it would be different?'
Renya turned away, pretending not to notice her look.
He had only mentioned it casually—who knew Koharu would take it seriously?
Although the position of Hokage Advisor didn't carry much real power, its very existence would influence some of the Hokage's decisions.
Wasn't that just asking for trouble?
He wondered whether Danzo would agree.
After all, in the original story, they did become Hokage Advisors...
"Danzo, don't forget us now that you're Hokage!" Mitokado Homura pushed up his glasses. "I did save your life several times back then, after all."
Hearing that, everyone turned to Danzo with hopeful expressions.
"Fine," he said at last, "you can serve as Hokage Advisors—but you'll have no actual authority."
Originally, he had planned to leave those positions for Hiruzen, but now that Hiruzen was serving as Hokage's assistant, they weren't necessary.
So, he might as well hand them over.
...
...
A/N: Speeding up the pacing a bit—otherwise you'll just say I'm dragging it out again, sob sob sob…